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Secure Communities Undermines All of Us

The decision, by President Obama’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to impose the Secure Communities Program on the State of Massachusetts, seriously undermines reasonable sovereignty claims of the states, encourages the practice racial profiling, and erodes individual rights to due process. Of course, it targets immigrants and specifically Latinos. But this is no aberration. Secure communities is cut from the same cloth as the National Defense Authorization Act providing for the indefinite worldwide detention of individuals, or the executive branch assertion that it has the right to kill anyone it deems to be a threat (regardless of their citizenship and without benefit of any judicial process), or the attempt via SOPA/PIPA and now CISPA to make either federal agencies or powerful companies the arbiters of internet content and property claims.

On May Day 2014 let's continue to demand that the U.S. sign the UN Convention on Migrant Workers Rights

On July 1, 2003, the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and their Families entered into force. There is abundant evidence that worldwide documented and undocumented migrant workers – including a growing number of women – are providing key contributions in such sectors as agriculture, construction, high tech and (domestic) services. They are, however, increasingly subject to racism, discrimination, abuse and violent attacks. We, welcome the adoption of the Convention. The USA has not ratified nor signed on.

U.S. Call to Action on December 18: a Global Day of Action Against Racism and for the Rights of Migrants, Refugees and Displaced People

In the US, we see increased enforcement and targeting of immigrant communities given priority over just solutions. We have witnessed 1 million people deported under the Obama administration, increased criminalization of immigrant families with federal programs like the misnamed “Secure Communities” and the spread of harsh anti-immigrant state legislation. We see the militarization of the border and the inability of Congress to pass even something as basic as the DREAM Act. All the while, the US plays a main role in creating the roots of migration - exploiting the people of the global south through unjust trade policies, supporting repressive regimes and military conflict – all factors in preventing people from fulfilling their right to work and live in their home territory.

Democrats in the Massachusetts Senate who voted racist and anti-immigrant

The great majority of Senators who are members of the Democratic Party voted in favor of anti-immigrant amendments that would deprive undocumented immigrant of medical and social services. The amendement also would allow for the creation of a free 800 number to report on suspected undocumented immigrants. The Massachusetts Senate is composed of 35 Democrats and 5 Republicans. Only five decent democrats had the guts to vote against the anti-immigrant amendment. To see the roll call check on the link below.

May 1st. is celebrated around the world as International Workers Day to honor the struggle for workers rights. On May 1st., 1886, and in the days followed, Chicago police opened fire attaching thousands of workers on strike. Every year since, workers across the globe have stood together to unite all of our struggles -- an injury to one, is an injury to all!

Friday, May 1, 2015
12PM -- Rally on the Boston Commons
2PM -- March to Haymarket Station

After the march to Haymarket, join the BMDC & get on the #111 bus to Chelsea!

We need an immigration policy based on human, civil and labor rights, which looks at the reasons why people come to the U.S., and how we can end the criminalization of their status and work. While proposals from Congress and the administration have started the debate over the need for change in our immigration policy, they are not only too limited and ignore the global nature of migration, but they will actually make the problem of criminalization much worse. We need a better alternative.

This alternative should start by looking at the roots of migration - the reasons why people come to the U.S. in the first place. Movement and migration is a human right. But we live in a world in which a lot of migration isn't voluntary, but is forced by poverty and so-called economic reforms.

The Green Party stands firmly for social justice for all those living in this country regardless of their immigration status. Above all, policy and law must be humane. Anything less would be inconsistent with our Green Values, and with our nation's values.

The Green Party accepts as a goal a world in which persons can freely choose to live in and work in any county he or she desires. We recognize that this would be impractical without reciprocity between nations. We seek that reciprocity as a practical goal. Countries do have a right to know the identity of persons seeking to enter. They also have the right to limit who can come in to protect public safety. [...]

A talk given at the May Day noon rally in the City Hall Plaza in Boston on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 by James Herod

Capitalists have always been criminals. They have been willing to exterminate entire peoples in order to keep the profits rolling in. May Day stems from a capitalist crime. In 1886, in Chicago, during a period of intense class struggle, they rounded up eight anarchists and accused them of something they didn't do. Four were hanged a year later after a fake trial. These executions sparked an international furor of protest. May First was thereafter celebrated as a workers day in honor of the Haymarket Martyrs.

Unfortunately, I can not be with you today. I am in the 13th month of a 36 month sentence at Hazelton Federal Penitentiary based on a scheme by former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan to advance his career. Sullivan is now managing partner of the Boston office of the Ashcroft Group, a consulting firm owned by John Ashcroft former US Attorney General under George Bush but that is a conversation for another day.

I appreciate and welcome the opportunity on May Day 2012 to share with you my thoughts.

Cambridge City Council Passes Resolution Urging the U.S. Government to Sign the U.N. Convention on Migrants Rights

The Cambridge City Council passed a resolution, presented by Councilor Marjorie Decker, on its session of December 5, declaring December 18, 2011 and annually thereafter, as International Migrants Day in Cambridge. It also urges the U.S. Government to sign and ratify the 1990 International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families and to similarly recognize December 18, 2011, as International Migrants Day. The Resolution also resolved to recognize the many contributions of immigrants and refugees to society as a whole.

Boston City Council Declares December 18 as International Migrants Day in the City of Boston

Council Charles C. Yancey offered the resolution that urged "the United States Government to sign and ratify the 1990 International Convention for the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families and to similarly recognize December 18, 2011, and annually thereafter, as international Migrants Day".

Lessons from the struggle to defeat racist anti-immigrant amendments to the Massachusetts State Budget for FY 2012

3-Jul-2011.- This year again the Massachusetts Budget was the field that anti-immigrant politicians chose to include their nasty venom. We had a similar experience last year that was met with fierce resistance by immigrant rights advocates lead by the young people of the Student Immigrant Movement (SIM). Just like last year most of the racist, anti-immigrants amendments were either withdrawn or rejected but some elements remained. Therefore the victories were significant but partial.

The strategies used in this grassroots campaign however are very important for the movement nationwide.

06-24-2011.- Again the Student Immigrant Movement (SIM) is leading the way to oppose a set of amendments included in the budget of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that seek to deny basic human services to undocumented workers and students. SIM established a vigil camp outside the main entrance of the State House which started last monday June 20. At the same time they have galvanized support in a coalition called Mass Hope 2011. The coalition includes the National Lawyers Guild, Matahari Eye of the Day, Jobs with Justice, the New Sanctuary Movement, Arlington Street Church, Asian American Resource Workshop, MIRA, Unite Here Local 26, Dominical Development Center, Centro Presente, the Boston May Day Committee, Cambridge/Somerville for Change, PHENOM, International Action Center, Harvard SLAM, Mass. Coalition for Domestic Workers, SEIU Local 615, Brazilian Immigrant Center, Chinese Progressive Association, API Movement, Resist the Raids, Moise Kavod House, AFSC, and Projeto Nos Votamos. The coalition continues to grow and if your organization has not done so, it should do it in a hurry.